In the 1980's Roxanne Nordquist was counseling the female inmates at the Orange County Detention Center in Orlando, Florida.  As the first cases of HIV/AIDS were diagnosed  at that facility, Roxanne recognized a deep desire and a calling in her life to minister to those who are infected and affected. 

At the time, there were no Christian ministries reaching out to those living with this disease in Orlando.  Miraculously, after sharing her heart with one of the Pastors of the Church she attended, a door opened for ministry.  In February 1990, The Central Florida Haven of Hope Ministries was born. 

We were so grateful for the tiny room in a trailer, with a few faithful volunteers, a metal cabinet for food items, and one phone line for information, anonymous counseling, and prayer. At a time when there was not much hope, the small office would be packed throughout the week with people coming for a Bible Study or prayer.  It was a difficult time because so many were dying from this disease due to a lack of medication and understanding. 

In the 1980's, the "Face" of AIDS was made up of mostly gay white men, I.V. drug users, and hemophiliacs.  Women and the elderly were a small percentage of the infected, but it was growing.  At that time there were approximately 80,000 new infections each year until the advent of the Protease Inhibitors, which were used experimentally in 1993, and were officially approved in 1994.

In spite of the uncertainties, there was unity, faith, and love, believing that God would meet the needs of a growing and needed ministry.  In a short time, we had seriously outgrown our much appreciated but very small office.  The Church had graciously donated the use of a house on its property so that we could concentrate on developing programs to better serve those in need.

Upon establishing our own non-profit status, it was decided that as a non-denominational, faith-based organization, we could better serve our clients by moving to an easily accessible location on a bus route.  With our office away from church property, those from other denominations would be more likely to participate.  Since its inception, many have come to know the Lord and received support and services that are designed to meet practical needs and prayer.

At the present time, the Central Florida Haven of Hope Ministries serves approximately 800 unduplicated clients from every socio-economic background, with an additional 300-400 clients per month that access a "Bus Pass" program that was established by collaborating with another AIDS Service Organization (ASO). 

NO ONE IS TURNED AWAY!  Support and services are available to everyone who comes to us in need.  Trained "Peer Counselors" are sent into the community to bring food, nutritional supplements, and prayer, to meet the needs of those who cannot come to us because of health issues. 

For a little more than a decade, the numbers in the United States have remained at 40,000 new infections per year (according to the CDC and other groups that are tracking this disease).  There are 1.2 million people in the U.S. with HIV or AIDS, and 25 percent of that number does not know their HIV status, therefore, the disease perpetuates.  The "Face" of HIV and AIDS today, is made up of mostly minorities.  African Americans have the highest percentage rate, with Hispanics, women, and the elderly on the rise. 

Another goal of the Central Florida Haven of Hope Ministries is to encourage other faith-based organizations to reach out to the HIV infected in their own communities.  Seminars and materials created by the Central Florida Haven of Hope are used to equip others for ministry at no cost. 

Over the years, it has been an honor to minister to these precious people.  If you have a need or a desire to start a ministry in your area, please contact us: 407-298-2056 or email us at: support@cflhavenofhope.com